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Writing a thank you note after an employment interview can be the key to getting a job offer. In these days of email and online communication, is it appropriate to send thank you letters by email?
In most cases, yes. You can get your thank you letter out immediately, rather than having to wait for the postal service to deliver it. If the employer is making a quick hiring decision, time is of the essence. If there is no sense of urgency, you may still want to send a quick email thank you, along with a traditional letter or note. You'll be reiterating your interest in the position sooner rather than later.
What to Include in Your Email Message
In addition to thanking the person you talked with, the thank you note reinforces the fact that you want the job. Use your letter to address any issues and concerns that came up during the interview. You can also view the thank you as a follow-up "sales" letter. In other words, restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are, how you might make significant contributions, and so on.
This letter is also the perfect opportunity to discuss anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask or that you neglected to answer as thoroughly, or as well, as you would have liked. Keep in mind though, that the thank you note should be brief and to the point. A couple of brief paragraphs are sufficient.
Group Thank Yous
What if you are interviewed with several people? Send individual messages to each person you interviewed with. Modify your message so each interviewer gets a unique thank you note. Ask for a business card at the conclusion of each interview - that way you'll have the contact information for your thank you letters.
Review a Sample Email Thank You Message
If you're not sure what to write, review these sample thank you letters and a formatted email thank you message.
Proof Your Messages
Finally, remember to proofread - proofreading is just as important in email as it is in other correspondence. Be sure to check spelling, grammar, typos, etc. Also, keep a copy in your Out mailbox or cc: yourself so you have a copy of each message you've sent.
Job Search Email Etiquette
Job search email etiquette including what to write in your job search emails, how to format your email, how to make sure your email message is read, and sample job search email messages.
